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What's Not Said

A Novel

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

“Taylor’s dialogue is snappy and contemporary . . . A witty and often amusing family drama.”—Kirkus Reviews

Kassie O’Callaghan’s meticulous plans to divorce her emotionally abusive husband, Mike, and move in with Chris, a younger man she met five years ago on a solo vacation in Venice, are disrupted when she finds out Mike has chronic kidney disease—something he’s concealed from her for years. Once again, she postpones her path to freedom—at least, until she pokes around his pajama drawer and discovers his illness is the least of his deceits.

But Kassie is no angel, either. As she struggles to justify her own indiscretions, the secret lives she and Mike have led collide head-on, revealing a tangled web of sex, lies, and DNA. Still, mindful of her vows, Kassie commits to helping her husband find an organ donor. In the process, she uncovers a life-changing secret. Problem is, if she reveals it, her own immorality will be exposed, which means she has an impossible decision to make: Whose life will she save—her husband’s or her own?

About The Author

Valerie Taylor is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: What’s Not Said, What’s Not True, and What’s Not Lost. She’s also the author of the Venus Bixby Mystery series. When she’s not writing or reading, Valerie enjoys practicing tai chi and being an expert sports spectator. She now resides in Shelton, CT, returning there after enjoying some of the best years of her life in Boston and Seattle.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (September 12, 2020)
  • Length: 316 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781631527463

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Raves and Reviews

2021 CIBA Chatelaine Book Awards First Place Winner
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Romantic Comedy
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Chick Lit
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Contemporary Novel
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Marriage
2021 Literary Titan Book Awards Silver Winner
2021 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Literary
2021 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Women’s Fiction
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Women's Fiction
2021 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Women’s Fiction
2020 Canadian Book Club Awards Finalist in Fiction
Chosen as an August 2021 Pulpwood Queens Book Club selection
Featured by the international NoMo Book Club in May 2021


“Taylor’s dialogue is snappy and contemporary . . . A witty and often amusing marriage drama.”
Kirkus Reviews

“In this dramatic tale of love, lust, and lies, author Valerie Taylor crafts an entertaining and gripping story. . . . a shocking novel full of secrets, twists, and turns, but it also has elements of pure humor and deep love. If I had to pick one word to describe What's Not Said, it would be the word ‘captivating.’”
Readers' Favorite

What’s Not Said is highly recommended for women who look for not just stories of marital relationships, but the unexpected revelations that revolve around life purpose and the immortality of love.”
Midwest Book Reviews

What’s Not Said is oh-so-clever at illustrating the unintended consequences of secrets. Valerie Taylor’s characters face a tangle of events and emotions that keep the reader turning pages!”
—Joan Cohen, author of Land of Last Chances

“Wonderfully entertaining! You’ll find yourself rooting for the main character from the beginning as she finds herself divided by mixed loyalties and her own desires. Taylor has written a sharp-witted and fun story, so grab a seat, buckle in and enjoy!”
—Marianne Lile, author of Stepmother: A Memoir

“Overall, this was a wickedly fun read, and entirely engaging in its soap-opera-esque style of storytelling.”
—Reedsy

“Taylor’s debut is a mystery, a romance, and a tale about chance and coincidence. It’s a book about secrets and lies and the elusive dream of a fairytale ending.”
BookTrib

“Witty and fun but also poignant and heartfelt, this novel takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of love, lust, deception, and ultimately redemption . . . A fast-paced novel you won’t want to put down.”
—Cathy Zane, award-winning author of Better Than This

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More books from this author: Valerie Taylor